Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Lamb chops with garlic and mint


Chops cut from the loin are the most costly of the various types of lamb chops, but they are also the tastiest and most tender. This recipe calls for double loin chops, which are simply cut twice as thick as a typical loin chop. While the chops are resting, a quick pan sauce of tomatoes, garlic, basil and mint that was started in a saucepan is finished in the roasting pan. Roasted potatoes, couscous or basmati rice would round out the plate.

Ingredients:
8 thick-cut bone-in lamb loin chops, each 1 1/2 inches thick, 2 to 2 1/2 lb. total weight
Extra-virgin olive oil for coating, plus 1 Tbs.
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 Tbs. chopped fresh basil
For the sauce:
1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, cut into narrow strips
6 to 8 fresh mint leaves, cut into narrow strips
1/4 cup dry red wine
Directions:

Using a sharp kitchen knife, trim away as much of the surface fat from the lamb as possible. Brush or rub the chops on both sides with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Press the parsley and basil firmly into both sides of each chop. Let stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before roasting.

Preheat an oven to 450°F.

Meanwhile, start making the sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil. Add the shallot and saute until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the tomatoes and cook, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes soften and release their liquid, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the basil and mint, and set aside until the lamb chops are roasted.

Preheat a large, heavy ovenproof fry pan over high heat until very hot. Add the 1 Tbs. olive oil, and then add the lamb chops and sear for 2 minutes. Turn the chops and sear for 1 minute on the other side. Immediately transfer the pan to the oven and roast the lamb until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat, away from the bone, registers 125° to 130°F for medium-rare, 5 to 6 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven, transfer the chops to a warmed platter and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let rest while you finish the sauce.

Pour off any excess fat from the pan. Set the pan over medium-high heat, pour in the wine and cook, stirring to scrape up the browned bits from the pan bottom. Add the tomato sauce and any juices that have accumulated on the platter and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.

Divide the chops among warmed plates. Divide the sauce evenly among them, spooning it over the top. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma, Essentials of Roasting cookbook, by Rick Rodgers, Melanie Barnard and Bob and Colleen Simmons (Oxmoor House, 2004).



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/11/15/icrossing-m10.DTL#ixzz15UeE37Ew

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Pumpkin soup with garlic

Pumpkin Soup with Garlic

Preparation time: 15 min Servings: 4
Cooking time: 35 min
Ingredients:
1/2 oz unsalted butter
1 small onion, chopped
2 tsp tomato paste
1-2/3 cups water
2-2/3 tbsp chopped walnuts
10-1/2 oz pumpkin, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 vegetable bouillon cube, crumbled, large
Cooking Directions:
Melt butter in a heavy nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic about 3 minutes, stirring, until onion is soft. Add remaining ingredients and increase heat to high. Stir frequently until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until pumpkin is tender. Transfer mixture to a processor or blender, in batches if necessary, and process until smooth. Serve hot.

Swordfish with Garlic

Swordfish with Garlic

Preparation time: 5 min Servings: 8
Cooking time: 15 min
Ingredients:
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp dry vermouth
2 swordfish steaks
1 tbsp unsalted butter
Cooking Directions:
Melt butter in a heavy nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and sauté until garlic just turns golden. Add vermouth and season with black pepper to taste. Turn on broiler. Arrange fish on broiler pan and brush with seasoned butter. Broil 4 in. from heat source 10-15 minutes, or until fish is opaque. Serve with remaining seasoned butter.
Nutritionist Recommended For:
Low Fat
Low Calories
Low Cholesterol
Low Sodium

Nutrition Facts
Calories 62
% Calories From Fat 40.6%
Total Fat 2.8g
Saturated Fats 1.3g
Mono-unsaturated Fats 0.9g
Poly-unsaturated Fats 0.4g
Cholesterol 17mg
Sodium 31mg
Total Carbohydrates 0.9g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugar 0.1g
Protein 6.8g

Baked Garlic Thyme Chicken

Baked Garlic-Thyme Chicken

Preparation time: 10 min Servings: 4
Cooking time: 60 min
Ingredients:
3-1/2 lb whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry
1 tsp dried thyme, leaves
2 scallions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Cooking Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients, except chicken, in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread seasoned butter over outside of chicken. Place chicken, breast side down, in a baking dish. Bake 35 minutes. Turn chicken breast side up and bake another 25-35 minutes or until tender, basting occasionally with pan juices.

Nutrition Facts
Calories 1100
% Calories From Fat 54%
Total Fat 66g
Saturated Fats 22g
Mono-unsaturated Fats 24g
Poly-unsaturated Fats 12g
Cholesterol 380mg
Sodium 330mg
Total Carbohydrates 1.4g
Dietary Fiber 0.4g
Sugar 0.2g
Protein 110g
More Information
Vitamins

Thiamin B1 0.26 mg
Vitamin A 1100 IU
Vitamin K 32 mcg
Vitamin E 1.5 mg
Pantothenic Acid 4.1 mg
Vitamin B6 1.6 mg
Choline 270 mg
Riboflavin B2 0.68 mg
Vitamin D 0 IU
Vitamin C 2.6 mg
Vitamin B12 1.2 mcg
Niacin B3 34 mg
Minerals

Sodium 330 mg
Zinc 7.8 mg
Copper 0.28 mg
Iron 5.6 mg
Calcium 78 mg
Manganese 0.14 mg
Magnesium 94 mg
Fluoride 59 mcg
Potassium 920 mg
Phosphorus 730 mg
Selenium 95 mcg